what is software ?Explain the three classification of software briefly
Answers
Answer:
There are three broad classifications: Application software is the general designation of computer programs for performing tasks. Application software may be general purpose (word processing, web browsers, etc.) or have a specific purpose (accounting, truck scheduling, etc.).
Answer:
A software or computer software essentially a type of programs which enable the users to perform some particular specific task or actually used to operate their computer.
Operating System
Being a prominent example for system software, it is essentially a collection of software which handles resources as well as offers general services for various other application which actually run over them. There are different types of operating systems like embedded, real-time, distributed, single-user, multi-user, mobile, internet and much more. Full stack web development services develop apps to operate on a mobile operating system like Android and iOS. Some of the key examples of operating systems are as follows:
MS Windows
macOS
Linux
iOS
Android
CentOS
Ubuntu
Unix
b. Device Drivers
This type of software controls particular hardware which is essentially attached to the system. Different hardware devices which require a driver to connect to a system easily consist of displays, printers, sound cards, hard disks, keyboard, and mice. Few of the examples of such drivers are:
BIOS Driver
Motherboard Drivers
Display Drivers
ROM Drivers
Printer Drivers
USB Drivers
Sound Card Driver
VGA Drivers
c. Firmware
It is actually a permanent software which is embedded in the system’s read-only memory. It is essentially a set of instructions which are permanently stored onto to the hardware device. It offers vital information regarding how a particular device interacts with different other hardware. Some of the examples of firmware are:
Computer Peripherals
Embedded Systems
UEFI
BIOS
d. Utility
These software are designed to assist in analysing, as well as optimizing, along with configuring and maintaining a given computer system. It provides support to the computer infrastructure. Software like disk cleanup and management tools, anti-viruses, defragmenters, compression tools etc. are all utility software. Some of its examples are:
Norton Antivirus
McAfee Antivirus
WinRAR
WinZip
Piriform CCleaner
Windows File Explorer
Directory Opus
Razer Cortex
2. Application Software
They are also popularly known as end-user programs or even productivity programs which assist the user in completing various tasks like conducting online research, making notes, designing graphics, maintaining accounts, carrying out calculations or even playing computer games. They essentially lie above the system software. They are actually used by the end-user as well as have specific functionality or tasks which they are designed to perform. These software are often developed through custom software development, based on the requirements of the users. There is a variety of application software. Some of them are:
a. Word Processors
Such applications are meant for documentation. It also assists in storing as well as formatting and even printing of the documents. Key examples of such software are:
MS Word
Apple iWork-Pages
Corel WordPerfect
Google Docs
b. Database Software
It is used to create as well as manage a database and also known as Database Management System or in short, DBMS. Such software assists in the data organization. Some of the examples of DBMS are:
MS Access
FileMaker
dBase
Clipper
MySQL
FoxPro
c. Multimedia Software
This is a software which is able to play, create as well as record images, audio or even video files. These software are utilized for animation, video editing, graphics as well as image editing. Due to the high demand for such software, every software product development company has vast avenues in developing them. Some of the examples of such software are:
Adobe Photoshop
Picasa
VLC Media Player
Windows Media Player
Windows Movie Maker
d. Web Browsers
These software are utilized to browse the internet. Web browsers assist the users in locating as well as retrieving data well across the web. Some of the key examples of them are:
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Internet Explorer
Opera
UC Browser
Safari
However, there also exists another classification of the software. They can easily be classified on the basis of their availability as well as sharability.